Applications are accepted year-round for fall, spring, and summer terms.

Application Deadlines

Fall Term . . . . . . . . August 1

Spring Term . . . . . December 1

Summer Term . . . March 15

Admission Requirements

University requirements:

A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or its equivalent from a foreign institution with a GPA of 3.0 or higher in all work attempted in the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate study.

Additional program requirements:

Official transcripts from all attended institutions

GRE scores (Institutional Code: 5490)

Prior to July 1, 2011: 500 verbal section only

After July 1, 2011: 153 verbal only (comparable to old score range)

Students should be aware that admission into any graduate program is granted on a competitive basis. Students meeting minimum requirements may be denied admission based on such factors as program capacity or academic discretion. Likewise, students may be considered for admission as an exception if stated admissions criteria are not met.

The M.A. Program in English is designed to serve the interests and needs of a broad variety of graduate students, including returning students looking to supplement their previous work in literature and satisfy personal interests. With courses offered year round and primarily in the evening, the M.A. Program class schedule is convenient for both part-time and full-time students. Most of our students work and are enrolled part-time, taking one or two courses a semester as time permits.

The core curriculum in the Master of Arts in English program focuses on the analysis of poetry, drama, fiction, film, and other kinds of texts; developing a critical vocabulary for describing the complexities of literary texts; understanding the nature of literary conventions; exploring the different literary traditions in British, American, and world literature; and investigating developments in and value of contemporary literary theory. The program supplements the core curriculum by providing instruction in rhetoric and composition.

Concentrations Offered

• Composition and Rhetoric

Special Notes about the Program

The program's concentration in Rhetoric and Composition provides students with optional instruction that will enhance their qualifications for teaching writing in high schools and community colleges. The program also recommends this concentration for students wishing to pursue careers as technical writers, editors, or Internet publishers.

Applicants must have a B.A. in English or a minimum of 18 semester hour of literature coursework with a minimum GPA ranging from 3.5 to 4.0 in the coursework. Applicants must also have completed a course in literary criticism with a grade of B or higher.